"Just curious, has anyone here had experience with these smaller companies? Are they reliable when it comes to claims and customer service?"
I've actually had pretty good luck with a smaller regional insurer here in Delaware. A couple years back, someone rear-ended my Audi at a stoplight—nothing major, but enough damage to stress me out. Honestly, I was nervous about the claims process since I'd switched from one of the big-name insurers to save some cash. Surprisingly though, they handled everything smoothly and quickly. Friendly reps, no runaround... felt like dealing with real people instead of a call center maze. So yeah, sometimes smaller can be better!
I've had mixed experiences with smaller insurers, especially since my driving record isn't exactly spotless (couple speeding tickets and one at-fault accident). One smaller company I tried was great at first—low premiums, easy signup—but when I had a minor fender-bender, the claims process dragged on forever. Felt like they scrutinized every tiny detail. Eventually got sorted, but it was stressful. I'd say smaller insurers can be good, but if you're higher-risk like me, definitely do your homework first...
"Felt like they scrutinized every tiny detail. Eventually got sorted, but it was stressful."
Haha, I feel your pain. Reminds me of when I backed into my neighbor's mailbox (don't ask). Thought it'd be a quick fix, but nope—my small insurer practically launched a full-scale investigation. They even asked if the mailbox had pre-existing damage...seriously? Smaller companies can be great for saving cash, but yeah, if your driving record's got some "character," definitely tread carefully.
Does anyone know if Delaware insurers are generally stricter about minor claims, or is it just a small-company thing? I'm still learning the ropes, and stories like these make me wonder if it's better to stick with bigger names at first. Also, is there any advantage to reporting tiny incidents right away, or does that just put you under the microscope even more...? Seems like there's a lot of fine print to navigate.
"Also, is there any advantage to reporting tiny incidents right away, or does that just put you under the microscope even more...?"
Honestly, I'd advise caution with reporting every minor scrape. Delaware insurers—big or small—tend to keep tabs on frequency of claims. Even tiny incidents can stack up and flag you as a higher risk, potentially bumping your premiums. Sometimes it's smarter to handle minor stuff out-of-pocket. And don't assume bigger companies are automatically lenient; they have their own fine print too. Insurance is always a balancing act between coverage and cost...welcome to the club!
